CHICAGO — For the sixth consecutive year, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione shares the top tier among intellectual property law practices in Illinois, according to the 2008 Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business.

Nationally, Brinks shares the fourth tier with only one other IP boutique and eight general practice firms with IP departments for top IP firms in the United States.  There are only 34 firms total singled out in the IP category.  Seven are intellectual property boutiques; 27 are general practice firms with IP practices.

Seven of the firm's shareholders have been recognized as leading lawyers in their field: Meredith Martin Addy, Ralph J. Gabric, Jerome Gilson, Roy E. Hofer, Jerold A. Jacover, Laura Beth Miller and Gary M. Ropski.

Addy is a shareholder and chair of the firm's Appellate Group.  Gabric is a shareholder in the firm's litigation practice, concentrating on patent and antitrust litigation.  Gilson is a senior shareholder in the firm's trademark and unfair competition practices.  Hofer is a senior shareholder with more than 45 years of experience in the litigation of patent, trade secret, trade dress and related antitrust and contract matters. Jacover is a shareholder and immediate past president of the firm.  Miller is a shareholder and chair of the firm's International Trade Commission Group.  Ropski is president of Brinks.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with four additional offices across the country serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 170 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management and technology and licensing agreements.